How to prevent those painful headaches

It can be a symptom of multiple things; from needing to get glasses, stress, changes in hormones, to allergies to food.

No matter the reason, here are some ways to try to stop the headaches before they even start.

Watch your diet

While different foods affect people in different ways, it pays to take note of your diet if you get regular headaches. Take note of what you have eaten prior to getting the pain and see if there is something showing up regularly.

Avoid certain foods

There are a number of foods known to trigger migraines, so avoiding these would be a good start. This includes dairy, MSG, artificial sweetener, food additives, wine, smoked meats, pickles, and cold foods such as ice cream.

You can also try avoiding foods that many people are allergic to. This includes wheat, soy, peanuts and shellfish. Dairy is again included in this list.

Eat more of others

Increase your intake in fresh fruit and vegetables. Chia seeds and walnuts might also be of benefit. Ginger added to a vegetable juice or cayenne pepper added to either your food or drink is also known to have benefits.

Getty

Drink more water

While you should drink less alcohol, and avoid caffeine, you should definitely drink more water. Chamomile and peppermint tea might help relieve tension too.

Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is important, but also having a regular sleep pattern can help.

Get some exercise

Not only does exercise reduce stress, it will help you sleep better. Try some gentle exercise or other stress reduction activities like meditation or deep breathing to help clear your mind.

Avoid chemicals

Look for natural alternatives in your food but also around the home. Skip the chemical cleaning products and air fresheners, which could be doing more harm than good. No smoking either!

Getty

If you do feel a migraine coming on try these last tricks:

Put your hands in icy water and flex them.

Alternatively try putting your feet in hot water and a cold compress on the back of your neck.